BUSINESS BRIEFS: BB’s Hot Spot grand opening; Community Bancorp of the Berkshires elects CEO; Triplex Cinema receives grant; Barrington Stage receives grant; Seeing Rainbows granted 501(c)3 status; Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Equity Fund; Roots Rising summer match; Bishop West Real Estate raises $25,000 for Berkshire Humane Society; Berkshire Music School scholarships

BB’s Hot Spot at The Lantern celebrates grand opening

Pittsfield— Chef Ronny Brizan is proud to announce the official grand opening of his new location, BB’s Hot Spot at The Lantern at 455 North Street in Pittsfield, open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Nestled in the heart of the Berkshires, BB’s Hot Spot has long been a favorite for its authentic flavors of Brizan’s native Grenada, known as the Island of Spice. You’ll savor the tastes of true cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, saffron, cloves, ginger, and cocoa. The menu features smash burgers, jalapeno cheddar burgers, jerk chicken, craft beer, and an extensive cocktail menu inspired by the Caribbean. Sip on tropical favorites like Sorrel Margaritas, Piña Coladas, and Tropical Rum Punch, expertly crafted to transport you from North Street to the islands.

To celebrate this grand opening and support the vibrant local arts scene, BB’s Hot Spot is offering a special summer-long promotion. From July 5th through August 31st, patrons on their way to Barrington Stage Company or the Colonial Theatre can enjoy half-price appetizers when they show their theater tickets. This exclusive offer includes a variety of appetizers such as Bang Bang Shrimp, Fried Wing Dings, or Pulled Jerk Chicken Quesadillas. Come on in and taste the islands!

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Community Bancorp of the Berkshires elects next CEO and President

Adams— Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, MHC (Mutual Holding Company,) the parent company of Adams Community Bank, announced the selection of Julie Fallon Hughes as President and CEO.  

Jeffrey Grandchamp, Board Chair of Adams Community Bank, stated that this selection is in anticipation of the planned retirement of current President and CEO Charles O’Brien. Mr. Grandchamp noted that this transition is part of an overall succession plan for the Bank that the Board adopted several years ago.   

Mr. Grandchamp noted, “Julie Hughes is highly qualified for this role and has deep experience in banking. She most recently served as region president at Northwest Bank in Pennsylvania, leading all commercial, mortgage, and consumer lending efforts. Prior to her work at Northwest, Hughes served as a senior executive at several regional and community banks. We look forward to her leadership of our Bank in the coming decade.” 

Julie Hughes noted she is honored and excited to take over her new role at the Bank, stating, “ACB has long been a supporter of small businesses and retail consumers in Berkshire County. I have spent my entire career with this same focus and look forward to continuing this important undertaking.” 

At the end of this transition period, Mr. O’Brien will retire after a 44-year career in the financial services industry, with the last 27 served at Adams Community Bank. He first joined the former South Adams Savings Bank in 1997 as Chief Financial Officer.  

During Mr. O’Brien’s tenure at the Bank, ACB grew from three offices in 1997 with $127 million in assets and 35 employees to a 10-office community bank in 2024 with $1+ billion in assets and 135 employees. O’Brien, who has served as CEO for 22 years, was instrumental in initiating the 2012 merger of Adams Cooperative Bank and South Adams Savings Bank. The merged Bank was then renamed Adams Community Bank. He also led the acquisition of the former Lenox National Bank in 2015. O’Brien also recognized customers’ needs very early on for easy-to-use online and mobile banking outlets. Under his leadership, ACB greatly enhanced the customer experience online and through their mobile banking app.

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Triplex Cinema announces $200,000 facilities grant

Great Barrington— The Triplex Cinema is thrilled to announce that it has been named the recipient of a $200,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. The grant is contingent on the Triplex raising a matching amount from foundations and private individuals, and that fundraising will begin immediately.

The funding will be used for the renovation of the fourth Triplex screen, theatre two. The first three screens were renovated last year. Construction will begin as soon as the remaining funds are raised, and the goal is to have the fourth screen open before the end of 2024.

Triplex Board of Directors President Nicki Wilson said “Since the formation of Save the Triplex in 2023, renovating our four screens has been a top priority. This critical grant from the State of Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, along with the matching amount which we will raise, will enable us to complete restoration of our last screen, and the Triplex will again operate at full strength with four screens of programming. Many thanks to Governor Healey and her administration for their support of the Cultural Facilities Fund.”

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Barrington Stage Company announces $120,000 programming grant

Pittsfield— Barrington Stage Company is the recipient of a $120,000 grant from The Shubert Foundation. Granted in the category of Theatre, the award will support key programming in BSC’s 2024 season.

“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive this generous $120,000 grant from The Shubert Foundation,” said Alan Paul. “This vital support enables us to continue our mission of producing bold and innovative theater that resonates with our community and beyond. The Shubert Foundation’s investment in our work allows us to nurture new talent, expand our educational programs, and bring transformative theatrical experiences to our audiences. This grant is an affirmation of the importance of live theater and its power to inspire and connect us all.”

The Shubert Foundation was established in 1945 by Lee and J.J. Shubert, in memory of their brother Sam. Today, the Foundation is the nation’s largest funder of unrestricted aid for not-for-profit theatre and dance companies. Since the establishment of The Shubert Foundation grants program in 1977, more than $653 million has been awarded to not-for-profit arts organizations throughout the United States. For more information, visit https://shubertfoundation.org.

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Seeing Rainbows granted 501(c)3 status less than month after incorporation

Pittsfield— Seeing Rainbows, a trans-led art organization, has received its nonprofit 501(c)3 status less than a month after filing.

Drawing from community initially discovered through Berkshire Trans Group, Seeing Rainbows received a generous temporary sponsorship from the support group’s fiscal sponsor Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition (BSCC) to bridge the gap as it awaited word of its own nonprofit status.

“We’d heard from multiple nonprofits that it took months, closer to a year, for their status to be finalized,” says Ephraim Alexander Schwartz, cofounder of Seeing Rainbows. “It was certainly a welcome surprise. We’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of welcome surprises come our way.”

“Everyone I’ve spoken to about this is absolutely floored that we heard back so quickly,” says cofounder Maayan Nuri Héd. “We don’t know the ‘why’ of it, but we’re very grateful to Berkshire Stonewall for supporting us in the interim, and also relieved to be an independent nonprofit in our own right, so quickly.”

“I remember a time when BSCC was the only nonprofit representing the queer community and it’s exciting to see the support of our community that is enabling the growth of many queer organizations, some of which have already blossomed into nonprofits of their own. We are proud to have been a part of their journey and look forward to what’s next,” said Jason Vivori, chairperson of Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition.

Seeing Rainbows has launched with a slew of active programming, from weekly Trans Hikes, to monthly Trans Art Workshops in partnership with Berkshire Art Center, as well as monthly Salons. More information on all of Seeing Rainbows’ programming and partnerships can be found on their website at seeingrainbows.org.

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Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation launches the Equity Fund, a BIPOC community directed grant program

Sheffield— Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) is proud to announce the launch of the Equity Fund grant program, focused directly on addressing systemic inequities and supporting underserved communities across Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess, and northwest Litchfield counties. The fund’s grant application is now open, and BTCF invites local organizations, individuals, and coalitions to apply for funding to advance projects that promote equity and inclusion.

The grant will provide critical financial support to nonprofits and community-based organizations working on innovative solutions to address racial justice, economic disparities, educational inequities, and healthcare access. “The launch of the Equity Fund grant program represents a transformative moment for our community,” said Alÿcia Bacon, BTCF CEO for Equity and Inclusion. “By supporting initiatives that tackle systemic inequalities, and by placing leaders of color and our community at the center of those grantmaking decisions, we are investing in a brighter, more equitable future for everyone in our region, and leading by example.”

The Equity Fund is open to a wide range of applicants. Nonprofit organizations, individuals, and grassroots groups with collaborative projects that align with the fund’s mission are welcome to apply. Grants will be awarded to programs and initiatives that demonstrate a clear commitment to equity, have a measurable impact, and show sustainability. BTCF is dedicated to a transparent and inclusive grantmaking process. BTCF accepts applications on a rolling basis and reviews them monthly. BTCF looks forward to partnering with local organizations and leaders to drive meaningful change and advance equity throughout the region.

To learn more about the Equity Initiative please visit BerkshireTaconic.org/Equity

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Roots Rising announces $100,000 summer match

Pittsfield— After an extensive, multi-year search, in February, Roots Rising acquired a 6.5-acre parcel of land at 923 Barker Road in Pittsfield to launch their most ambitious project yet: a Farm and Education Center. 

This space will serve as more than just a farm. It will be the heart of Roots Rising’s operations and home base. It is where they will nurture the next generation of food system change-makers, and where the community will be welcomed to connect to the land, to grow food, and to learn alongside together.

To bring this vision to fruition, Roots Rising has embarked on a capital campaign to raise five million dollars. This funding will not only complete the build-out of the farm and facilities by 2026 but also establish a solid foundation for the long-term sustainability of its mission. To kick off this exciting project, Roots Rising has a generous challenge grant. Starting July 1st, all donations contributed this summer will be doubled up to $100,000 thanks to support from Roaring Brook Family Foundation. 

“Given the many challenges ahead, the Roots Rising Farm and Education Center will provide a critically important food justice and community resilience hub, connecting Berkshire youth to each other and to the land while also strengthening local and regional food systems through climate-smart agroecology…Let’s all rally for Roots, and help bring that vision to life!,” said  Gregory Whitehead of the Roaring Brook Family Foundation.

The community can view plans for the upcoming Farm and Education center and donate today at RootsRising.org/our-farm.

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Bishop West Real Estate hosts successful music bingo fundraiser, raising $25,000 for Berkshire Humane Society

Pittsfield— Bishop West Real Estate proudly announces the success of its recent music bingo fundraising event held on June 30th at the Proprietors Lodge. The event raised an impressive $25,000 in support of the Berkshire Humane Society.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming support we received for our music bingo fundraiser benefiting the Berkshire Humane Society,” said Peter West, co-owner of Bishop West Real Estate. “It’s inspiring to see our community come together to make a significant impact on such a worthy cause.”

Bishop West Real Estate has a long-standing commitment to supporting local nonprofit organizations and is recognized as a leader in philanthropy in the region. Through initiatives like the Music Bingo fundraiser, Bishop West Real Estate continues to demonstrate its dedication to making a positive difference in the community. For more information about Bishop West Real Estate and their community involvement, visit www.bishopwestre.com.

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Berkshire Music School talent and merit scholarship recipients  

Pittsfield— The Berkshire Music School is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Talent and Merit Scholarship recipients:

• Tracy R. Wilson Scholarship – Alyviana Manion, piano
• Helen and Milton Fink Memorial Scholarship – Artois Sancho, piano
• Gia Cox Caird Scholarship – Zoe-Ruth Brizen, piano
• England/Scott Family Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation – Nina Rather, violin
• Sara Alberti-Jencks Scholarship – James Ryan & Sai Meesala, voice
• Paul Houston Memorial Scholarship – Shira Weiner, guitar
• Daniel Pearl Scholarship – Destiny Tetlow, flute
• The Chopin Scholarship – Madeline Davis, piano
• The Paderweski Scholarship – Anderson Durfee, piano

Honorable Mentions:

• Rose Garrison, cello
• Bernardo Martinez, saxophone
• Sagun Meesala, flute
• Calliope Bednarski, piano
• Clementine Delsignore, electric bass
• Matias Chimarro, charango